Where was John Roberts 2 years ago? Holding Justice Kennedy as he gave birth to the Citizens’ United decision. The results have been pretty predictable. As I said 2 years ago:

The reality is that even prior to this decision, Multi-National Corporations already exert more influence on our government than ever before. The corporatists and the plutocrats rule. All one has to do is look at how fast the government came to the rescue of Wall St. while the middle class is left to implode. Still, the thought of more government control by multi-national corporations who ship jobs overseas, open up foreign shells to avoid paying taxes, and already own our political process can only be seen as discouraging to American democracy.

There is nothing earth-shattering about that paragraph. Both critics and supporters of the decision knew where this decision would lead. Here:

Let’s start with the top individual donors.

Got that? Here are the donations to Super PACs

Mother Jones profiled the top-20 donors. And why we currently see it skewed towards the GOP during primary season, I’m guessing the money will soon be hoisted on most candidates who are tempted to sniff the corporate cash, Obama definitely included.

After all, spending a few million to buy a politician is one of the best investments a person/corp can make.

Three, give the go-ahead for U.S.-based Mossad agents to take out a president deemed unfriendly to Israel in order for the current vice president to take his place, and forcefully dictate that the United States’ policy includes its helping the Jewish state obliterate its enemies.

Yes, you read “three” correctly. Order a hit on a president in order to preserve Israel’s existence. Think about it. If I have thought of this Tom Clancy-type scenario, don’t you think that this almost unfathomable idea has been discussed in Israel’s most inner circles?

Another way of putting “three” in perspective goes something like this: How far would you go to save a nation comprised of seven million lives…Jews, Christians and Arabs alike?

You have got to believe, like I do, that all options are on the table.

Tom Clancy, huh? 24 must not be in syndication yet. I guess all the aid, military support and technology isn’t enough for Mr. Adler. Apparently, the Israeli-American alliance, like “class warfare,” only runs one way.

This is too much for perpetual election “journalist” and beltway hack, Chuck Todd, who has probably uttered the words “Citizens’ United” thousands of times without explaining to viewers the basis of the decision or what it really means.

Chuck (or “Chinless” as he’s known in our house) addressed Winthrop University on the “roll of the press” with all the self-awareness of a one-eyed wombat. From C+L:

Look, he’s got a shtick,” Todd told a Winthrop University audience today. “I admire how he’s educated his audience on super-PACs. (But) I think he’s making a mockery of the system. Is it fair to the process?”

“What is his real agenda here? Is it to educate the public about the dangers of money and politics, and what’s going on? Or is it simply to marginalize the Republican Party? I think if I were a Republican candidate I would be concerned about that.”

These are some really poignant questions, Mr. Todd. Perhaps you should look inward at the MSM’s own agenda ($ + access) as opposed to criticizing a satirical display that’s apparently not nuanced enough for you. What’s your agenda? Churning out another week’s worth of shallow bullshit that does nothing to educate your viewers? Yes, Stephen Colbert is threatening the system – a system that sees you as integral in marginalizing as many Americans as possible.

If you had “2008″ in the Paula Deen Is Diagnosed With Type II Diabetes Pool, looks like you’re a winner.

“I was diagnosed three years ago during a regular physical exam with my doctor, that I had type 2 diabetes. I am here today to let the world know that it is not a death sentence. I am working with a very reputable pharmaceutical company. I’m working on a new program called ‘Diabetes in a New Light.’ You can go to our website. I’m going to be there for you and help you manage every day of your life with this, because it can be done.”Celebrity chef and Food Network star Paula Deen is teaming with drugmaker Novo Nordisk to launch a program that aims to help people live with Type 2 diabetes and promote a Novo diabetes drug.

Deen has Type 2 diabetes and takes Victoza, a once-daily noninsulin injection. The website links to promotional materials for the drug.

Deen also dismissed rumors that she was covering up her diabetes to protect her reputation. “That was not why. My knowledge about the disease was very limited,” she told USA Today. “But now I’m coming with good information, something that can help and bring hope to other people. It may sound cliché, but it’s the God-honest truth.”

Well if you say it with such folksy gumption, you must be telling the truth.

Paula Deen - 21st Century American Roll Model. I hope Novo Nordisk welcomes her to the family with a congratulatory ham.

Under George W. Bush + President Obama, military aid to Israel has reached unprecedented levels. Here is how we’ve been thanked.

From Foreign Policy, Newsweek’s less vapid cousin who is a little awkward around women.

Buried deep in the archives of America’s intelligence services are a series of memos, written during the last years of President George W. Bush’s administration, that describe how Israeli Mossad officers recruited operatives belonging to the terrorist group Jundallah by passing themselves off as American agents. According to two U.S. intelligence officials, the Israelis, flush with American dollars and toting U.S. passports, posed as CIA officers in recruiting Jundallah operatives — what is commonly referred to as a “false flag” operation.

The memos, as described by the sources, one of whom has read them and another who is intimately familiar with the case, investigated and debunked reports from 2007 and 2008 accusing the CIA, at the direction of the White House, of covertly supporting Jundallah — a Pakistan-based Sunni extremist organization. Jundallah, according to the U.S. government and published reports, is responsible for assassinating Iranian government officials and killing Iranian women and children.

The article goes on to paint a picture distilling precisely why Middle East tranquility is so far away. Knee-jerk reactions to asinine Iranian rhetoric, followed by bold proclamations by nuclear powers with zero sense of irony and self-awareness. Topped with covert + illegal actions against sovereign nations. (Served with a side of religious zealotry for all parties)

Israel’s relationship with Jundallah continued to roil the Bush administration until the day it left office, this same intelligence officer noted. Israel’s activities jeopardized the administration’s fragile relationship with Pakistan, which was coming under intense pressure from Iran to crack down on Jundallah. It also undermined U.S. claims that it would never fight terror with terror, and invited attacks in kind on U.S. personnel.

Of course, the “Most Powerful Country On Earth” has to walk on eggshells when it comes to Israel, god forbid Steve King or some other jackass condemns you for actually calling it like it is. I don’t remember voting for President Netenyahu, but apparently he was on the ballot.

”It’s easy to understand why Bush was so angry,” a former intelligence officer said. “After all, it’s hard to engage with a foreign government if they’re convinced you’re killing their people. Once you start doing that, they feel they can do the same.”

A senior administration official vowed to “take the gloves off” with Israel, according to a U.S. intelligence officer. But the United States did nothing — a result that the officer attributed to “political and bureaucratic inertia.”

“In the end,” the officer noted, “it was just easier to do nothing than to, you know, rock the boat.” Even so, at least for a short time, this same officer noted, the Mossad operation sparked a divisive debate among Bush’s national security team, pitting those who wondered “just whose side these guys [in Israel] are on” against those who argued that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Rick Perry & I agree. Oh yeah we do. Let’s take a look at our military aid, who really needs it, and for what purposes. What do you say, everyone?

Buying gifts for certain people is a difficult undertaking. What do you get for that terrible American consumer?

Maybe this will help.

I tried to prepare this in advance of the holidays. I missed Christmas, but just in time if you’re looking for that late MLK-day gift idea.

1. 12-Pack of Miller High Life bottles: It’s the perfect purchase for that small gathering you’re attending. Especially if it’s a gathering of “1.”

2. Hanes’ White T-Shirts (crew neck)

These basic clothing items do a great job of covering your torso at a reasonable cost.

Double Threat: They can function as your summer wardrobe, as well as being the perfect undershirt for your business-casual existence. I prefer crew neck to v-neck because v’neck shirts tend to pull at 7 of my 12 chest hairs.

3. Throwback Sporting Apparel For His Favorite Team

2 examples here, the first being the ’88 Bulls Logo cap. Next, check me out sporting the 1986 Snapback Bulls hat (I’m the one below). And YES, over my right shoulder you will find those sticks that make the room smell like something. Here we have the “Coast” scent of lotus flower, bergamot & lemon leaf. Ball so hard.

4. New Balance shoes: The perfect running shoe for dudes who hate running. I have 2 pairs that have lasted years. I believe Dr. Dan has NBs in all colors distinguishable by the human eye.

Also, for your smug satisfaction…

And we’re proud to say that 25% of our shoes sold in The United States are made or assembled right here.

If you’re wearing a pair of NB, feel free to annoy someone with the fact that 1/2 of one shoe you’re wearing is Made in the USA! This allows you to confront wearers of Communist sneakers and ask them why their feet hate freedom.

(originally posted 2/10/10) then again (7/9/10) now one more time before retirement. for love. UPDATE: So it’s as hot as fuck out east because, you know, it’s July. Anyway, I’m just checking in because although You Know and I Know daily mid-Atlantic microtrends in weather do not offer any proof or disproof with regard to […]